Day of Atonement - Sermons, Bible Studies, Articles, and Essays

Holy Days: Atonement

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Atonement represents a critical step in God's purpose, focusing on spiritual cleansing and the availability of salvation for those emerging from the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, starting with the remnant of Israel. This holy day, broader in scope than Christ's sacrificial work on Passover, eventually encomp

The Day of Atonement and Israel's Future

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The Day of Atonement, as outlined in Leviticus 16, focuses on national rather than individual cleansing, with repeated references to the congregation, the people, the children of Israel, and the assembly. On this solemn day, the high priest made a sin offering for himself and then one for the entire nation, addressing only unintent

What We Can Learn From This Day of Atonement

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Atonement addresses the legal, spiritual, and practical moral aspects of restoring God's government and ensuring that rebellion will not recur among beings of free moral agency. It cohesively brings together these elements in an overarching manner, observing the process of reconciliation. While Passover focuses on person

Reconciliation and the Day of Atonement

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Atonement holds a profound significance in the journey toward reconciliation and restoration. It addresses the legal, moral, and practical aspects of restoring God's government while ensuring that rebellion will not recur among beings of free moral agency. Unlike Passover, which focuses on personal reconciliation of the

Pride, Humility, and the Day of Atonement

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Atonement is a significant observance where God's instruction for its observance is found in Leviticus 23:27-32. The day is associated with self-affliction, which is designed to promote humility. This self-affliction is often accompanied by fasting, though fasting is not directly commanded in scripture for this day. The

The Peculiarities of Atonement

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Atonement stands out as the most unusual holy day of the year, marked by distinctive practices that carry profound spiritual significance. Fasting, or afflicting our souls, is a central aspect of this day, teaching us how dependent we are on God, who supplies everything we need for life every moment. This realization ext

The Unity of Atonement

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

Of all the holy days that God has commanded us to keep, the Day of Atonement holds a particular significance. The question of why we are commanded to afflict ourselves on this day has long been a point of contemplation. It is clear from Isaiah chapter 58 that fasting is what God regards as afflicting ourselves, a practice intended

Why Two Goats on Atonement? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The Day of Atonement held a unique significance in the symbolic removal of sins among the Israelites. This annual ceremony served as a reminder of all the sins for which sin offerings were brought throughout the year, as the accumulated iniquity was symbolically addressed. God commanded the high priest to cleanse the incense altar

The Price of Atonement

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Atonement, often thought of as the Fast, is properly named in Leviticus 23:27-28, where it is emphasized as a holy day devoted to atonement. This special day, also called Yom Kippur by the Jews, centers on the concept of covering, derived from the Hebrew word k&257;par, which means to atone, to propitiate, or to wipe cle

Atonement: Physical and Spiritual Cleansing

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

Physical fasting provides insights to a parallel spiritual process of cleansing and removal of sin. Our High Priest commands us to let go to lighten our burden.

Why Two Goats on Atonement? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Each year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest performed an elaborate ceremony involving four sacrificial animals as detailed in Leviticus 16. He offered a ram as a burnt offering, a bullock as a sin offering for himself and his household, and two goats together as a sin offering for the nation. These two goats are central to t

Jesus in the Feasts (Part Four): Atonement

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Atonement holds a central place in understanding humanity's need for redemption from sin. It is the most solemn day of the year, reflecting the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ as our atoning sacrifice. On this day, we are reminded of the awesome price paid for our justification—the lifeblood of our Creator. This

The Fall Holy Days

Article by John Reiss

God's instruction on keeping the Day of Atonement appears in Leviticus 23:27-28. This day holds a significant place among the fall holy days, which primarily picture the great harvests of human beings at the return of Jesus Christ and beyond. It serves as a solemn reminder of the need for reconciliation and the steps God has outlin

Deuteronomy, Land Sabbaths, Atonement, and Third Tithe

Sermon by Ryan McClure

The Day of Atonement holds a significant place among God's holy days, observed annually with a focus on its deep meaning. On this day, we are required to afflict our souls and fast for 24 hours, a practice that reminds us of our commitment to God. This holy day serves as an anchor point for counting the seven-year cycle, leading to

Limited Atonement

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

On the Day of Atonement, we commemorate the covering of sins through a great sacrifice that pays the penalty for our transgressions, cleansing us so we can be presented as pure and righteous before God. Under His blood, our sins are forgiven, and we are made clean. As seen in Leviticus 16:29-34, the high priest made atonement for t

Why Is Atonement a Fall Festival?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Atonement, observed in the fall, raises questions about its placement among the holy days, as it seems to share themes with Passover, both focusing intensely on Christ's sacrifice and the redemption price paid to clear guilt and open a relationship with the Father. Why, then, is Atonement a fall festival rather than a sp

An Offering, Sanctification and Atonement

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

On the Day of Atonement, we are not to come before God empty-handed. This day is listed among His festivals, and giving an offering is a vital part of all His festivals and His way of life. The act of giving, done with the right attitude and thoughtful consideration, is more important than the amount offered. God desires the princi

What is Atonement?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Day of Atonement stands as a profound observance among God's holy days, often misunderstood and overlooked. It is a day that signifies harmony, unity, and oneness, observed through fasting and focusing on the means by which this state is achieved, namely through expiation or payment. This day memorializes a future time when the

Are God's Holy Days To Be Kept Today?

Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

The Day of Atonement is one of God's seven annual holy days, as outlined in Leviticus 23, and holds significant spiritual importance for the true church. It is a feast day, a spiritual occasion where God's people imbibe the Word of God in all its glory and help. Observed by the early church, this day was under attack throughout his

God's Holy Days - Our Shared Vision Of Hope

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark Schindler

God provides us with the Day of Atonement as a sacred occasion, giving careful instructions on how to observe it due to its profound importance to Him. This day, along with other Holy Days, offers us a glimpse of the brilliant light behind the storms of life, sharpening our vision of the hope that lies ahead. Through our participat

Sins Borne Away

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Atonement represents both a blood sacrifice for covering/cleansing and a means of removing sin permanently from the camp of Israel.

The Two Goats of Leviticus 16

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The first goat is a blood sacrifice to cleanse the altar. The second goat—the 'azazel' or 'complete removal'—is led away and freed (not bound by a chain).

Is Barabbas the Fulfillment of the Scapegoat?

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

In Matthew's account of Jesus Christ's crucifixion on Passover day, elements of the Day of Atonement ritual appear to be deliberately incorporated, highlighting a stark misalignment with God's will. In the ritual described in Leviticus 16, two goats were brought before the high priest, one to be sacrificed and the other to be relea

Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat— Satan or Christ? (Part Five)

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

The Day of Atonement, as outlined in Leviticus 16, holds profound significance in revealing God's plan for reconciliation through multiple atonements. The Hebrew term underlying this holy day is plural, kippurim, indicating that the Day of Atonements encompasses more than a singular act of atonement. Leviticus 16 mentions five dist

Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat—Satan or Christ? (Part One)

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

The Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur, is a Sabbath of solemn rest, distinguished by the command to afflict one's soul and refrain from all work, as outlined in Leviticus 23:26-32. Among its unique rituals, the ceremony of the two goats in Leviticus 16 stands out as a central element of the annual cleansing ritual performed by

Azazel: Beginnings

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

The Day of Atonement, observed once a year, holds a significant place in biblical teaching, yet it is often overlooked due to the distractions of fasting and subsequent celebrations. Central to this day is the mysterious term "azazel," used exclusively in Leviticus 16 to describe the second goat in the atonement ceremony. The rarit

Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat— Satan or Christ? (Part Three)

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

The Day of Atonement, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur, centers on the expiation of sins, with the root word kaphar meaning to cleanse, disannul, forgive, pardon, purge, put off, and cover. On this holy day, as described in Leviticus 16:30, the priest makes atonement to cleanse the people, rendering them clean from all their sins befo

Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat—Satan or Christ? (Part Two)

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

The Day of Atonement ritual, as outlined in Leviticus 16, involves two goats as part of a single sin offering, each playing a distinct role determined by lots cast by the high priest under God's guidance. The first goat, designated for the Lord, satisfies His justice by providing blood to purify the Holy Place, the Tabernacle, and

Azazel: Endings

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

On the Day of Atonement, as detailed in Leviticus 16, God prescribed a unique sin offering involving two goats, diverging from the typical single-animal sin offering. This special ritual, also referred to as the sin offering of atonements, was designed to cleanse multiple holy objects, reflected in the plural form of atonement used

Understanding the Azazel Goat

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

In Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement reveals a profound ritual involving two goats, together forming a single offering for sin. The first goat, designated for the Lord, satisfies His justice as a payment for sin, with its blood used to purify the holy place, the tabernacle, and the altar, addressing the defilement caused by the si

Hebrews 10:9 - Sacrificial System or Old Covenant?

Sermonette by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Hebrews 10:9 does not say that God's law or the Old Covenant has been done away, but that the system of animal sacrifices has been set aside for now.

Inventing Goddesses and Demons (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

In the Day of Atonement ritual involving two goats, the Hebrew text refers to the living goat as azazel, a term often translated as scapegoat. The interpretation with the most biblical support suggests that this goat prefigures Jesus Christ, upon whose innocent head the Father laid our sins and iniquities, bearing them as a substit

Humbleness is Our Only Path to Holiness

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

For to come near to God, we must be thoroughly cleansed inside and out. Self-affliction, enabled by fasting, creates humility—the only path to holiness.

The Doctrine of Israel (Part Fourteen): Israel Redeemed

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God employs a meticulous process of refinement and redemption for His people, particularly Israel, focusing on spiritual qualities over physical skills. A significant step in this journey is the payment and removal of sins for the humble remnant. The Day of Atonement symbolizes this prophetic moment in God's plan, representing the

Jesus Christ, the Bearer of Sin

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The Day of Atonement ritual, as described in Leviticus 16, holds profound significance in understanding the Messiah's sacrifice. In Leviticus 16:21-22, Aaron lays both hands on the head of the live goat, confessing over it all the iniquities, transgressions, and sins of the children of Israel, placing them on the goat, which is the

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Day of Atonement - Sermons, Bible Studies, Articles, and Essays